EMS bus unveiled by Chicago Fire Department

Staff report

A bus-sized ambulance that allows treatment of 13 patients at a time was unveiled today by the Chicago Fire Department, along with new heart monitors for all fire ambulances.

A custom-built CFD EMS patient transport bus was purchased with about $500,000 grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allowing emergency treatment and transport for 13 patients, according to a CFD news release.

It has an onboard staff of four and is equipped with Automatic External Defibrillators and pulmonary support equipment including oxygen and emergency care drugs.

“The Chicago Fire Department’s EMS patient transport bus is the first of its kind in Illinois and will be used for any incident where multiple patient transports can be consolidated for delivery of more efficient care and resource management,” said Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago.

The CFD also announced 12-Lead ECG monitors are now in all advanced life support ambulances, which will allow paramedics to more quickly diagnose heart attacks.

“With the 12-Lead ECG monitors in place in all of the CFD’s 60 ALS ambulances, we have upgraded to the most advanced mobile cardiac diagnostic tool currently available for heart attack patients,” Santiago said in the release.